Search Results (6,737)

Malaysia’s upstream poultry supply chain, comprising broiler farms, hatcheries, and breeder operations, faces persistent barriers to circular economy (CE) adoption despite growing national policy support. Existing literature has focused predominantly on quantitative assessments of CE performance, leaving a critical gap in contextual, institutional-level understanding of why CE practices remain selectively and unevenly implemented. This paper reports findings from an exploratory qualitative study involving nine semi-structured in-depth interviews with informants drawn primarily from institutional and regulatory stakeholder categories: regulatory agencies (Department of Veterinary Services Malaysia, DVS), industry associations (Federation of Livestock Farmers’ Associations of Malaysia, FLFAM), marketing and distribution agencies (Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority, FAMA), research institutions (Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute, MARDI), one private sector operator, and academic informants. Thematic analysis reveals five interconnected themes that collectively explain CE implementation gaps as seen from this institutional vantage point: (1) fragmented internal coordination as the primary operational barrier, (2) policy-practice misalignment between regulatory intent and operational realities, (3) the awareness-to-action deficit in CE conceptualisation, (4) differentiated capability constraints across enterprise scales (reported mainly through an industry-association intermediary rather than smallholders directly), and (5) the digital-circular complementarity gap raised by a minority of informants (4 of 9). The study makes three contributions: it generates an institutional-level, qualitative account of CE barriers and enablers for Malaysia’s upstream poultry sector from an institutional perspective; it introduces the concept of capability-sensitive CE governance, situated relative to related constructs such as the dynamic capabilities view, absorptive capacity, and the Technology–Organisation–Environment (TOE) framework, as a novel theoretical construct grounded in empirical evidence; and it proposes a preliminary Circular Economy Implementation Readiness Model (CEIRM), offered as a basis for future validation rather than a tested framework, that outlines a staged, practical pathway for CE adoption at the enterprise level. Findings have exploratory implications for policymakers, agri-food managers, and researchers engaged in circular transitions in developing-economy food systems. Full article

Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) from traditional fermented foods serve as a promising source of novel exopolysaccharides (EPSs) with desirable techno-functional properties. In this study, the EPS production ability of LAB strains from traditional pickles was tested and a strong slimy isolate grown in a sucrose-rich environment was further selected. The isolate was identified as Leuconostoc mesenteroides VB113 and its EPS production characteristics were determined. HPLC analysis revealed that glucose was the only monomer in the EPS repeating structure, whereas ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy analysis demonstrated a branched dextran structure with 20% (1 → 3)-linked α-D-glucose units. Dextran VB113 showed a molecular weight of 2.4 × 10⁶ Da tested by GPC analysis. The functional groups within dextran VB113 were determined by FTIR analysis, and XRD analysis demonstrated its amorphous physical status. TGA and DSC analysis were applied for thermal characterization and a degradation temperature of 272.25 °C was observed for dextran VB113, suggesting its high thermal resistance. The micro-structural features of dextran VB113 were tested by SEM and AFM analysis that revealed spherical and fibrillary properties, respectively. These findings revealed the importance of testing different niches to obtain novel EPS-producing LAB strains that can be further evaluated to enhance the techno-functional properties of food systems. The branched nature of dextran VB113, together with its molecular weight and thermal characteristics, offers practical advantages for its potential usage as a thermal-stable thickening agent, emulsion stabilizer, and fat replacer in high-temperature food processing applications, such as bakery products, processed dairy, and plant-based meat analogs. Full article

Chronic respiratory diseases, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis, and chronic bronchitis, are characterized by persistent airway inflammation and mucus hypersecretion, leading to airway remodeling and progressive pulmonary dysfunction. Although current therapies improve disease control, they often fail to adequately target the complex molecular mechanisms underlying chronic airway diseases and may cause adverse effects during long-term use. Natural products have therefore emerged as promising multitarget therapeutic agents because they simultaneously regulate oxidative stress, inflammatory signaling, epithelial dysfunction, and mucus production. Recent evidence demonstrates that marine-derived bioactive compounds and plant-derived phytochemicals modulate key signaling pathways, including nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt), Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT), the NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), thereby suppressing airway inflammation, oxidative stress, goblet cell differentiation, and MUC5AC overexpression. Advances in nanoformulation, pulmonary drug delivery, multi-omics, artificial intelligence-assisted drug discovery, and network pharmacology are expected to accelerate clinical translation. Collectively, natural products represent promising candidates for the development of evidence-based functional foods, nutraceuticals, and novel therapeutic strategies for chronic respiratory diseases. Full article

An increase in flexitarians, vegetarians, and vegan consumers coupled with soaring egg prices post covid has increased demand in the food industry for alternative ingredients, including emulsifier products. Plant-derived emulsifiers, including chickpea aquafaba and oat proteins, can imitate egg protein techno-functional attributes like foam formation and emulsification properties. Oat milk proteins provide less protein than soy or dairy and, as they are carbohydrate rich, can cause rapid blood sugar spikes. More alternative emulsifiers are required. This work describes the development of a red seaweed Chondrus crispus Stakehouse emulsifier ingredient applied in a vegan fairy cake recipe. The techno-functional attributes of the developed C. crispus hydrolysate were assessed using in vitro assays, and a prototype vegan fairy cake was made using the generated hydrolysate as an emulsifier. Product proximate qualities including protein, ash, and lipid content were compared to those of a traditionally made fairy cake. Results suggest that hydrolysis of C. crispus enables the extraction of 17.37% of available protein and makes the application of C. crispus in food products more attractive by improving emulsification properties. Moreover, novel bioactive peptides with sequences GIPDEWMGL, VLPSLPFM, GGPAGGGPAGGDAGLA, and AQVPPLPNMPRMPA were characterized and were shown to have in silico anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic potential activities. Full article

Early warning has been widely proven to be reliable in lowering the risk of instability for biological processes. However, it is very difficult for the warning systems used currently to achieve satisfactory accuracy, timeliness and universality simultaneously. This study developed a novel early warning system for instability in food waste anaerobic digestion (FWAD) by bioimitating the human disease screening paradigm. It consists of single, comprehensive and microbiological indicators. Findings showed that single-factor early warning systems resembled acute patient diagnosis, having high accuracy but low timeliness and poor universality. Each of the chosen single indicators showed distinct early warning performances and clear preferences for diverse inhibitions concerning the instabilities of high organic load rate, high ammonia, and high fat in FWAD. Then, a new comprehensive indicator was developed using the entropy weights of several indicators. Confirmatory tests revealed that the comprehensive indicator-based early warning system was analogue to the resident sub-health diagnostic regarding superior foresight and good operability but poor targeting. Therefore, an early warning system based on microbial changes was proposed for potential instability in FWAD by bioimitating human periodic physical examination. The sensitive bacteria were identified as norank_o_ norank_c_Dojkabacteria and Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group. Enlarged tests showed that the developed system could be used for emergent, indistinct and potential early warnings simultaneously while avoiding the shortcomings of existing systems. More preciously, this study provided a paradigm for developing early warning systems of FWAD, which is also suitable to be applied to the intelligent systems that rely on automated machine learning. Full article

New health-promoting food ingredients should combine nutritional functionality, traceable production and sustainable sourcing. Freshwater and brackish gammarid amphipods are usually considered ecological indicators, fish prey or invasive crustaceans, but their biochemical and ecological traits suggest a candidate role as low-trophic aquatic biomass. This narrative review evaluates gammarids primarily as EPA-oriented crustacean biomass and as a potential source of protein, minerals, chitinous material and processing fractions for feed, supplement and functional-food research. Available data indicate meaningful long-chain omega-3 content, especially EPA, but direct evidence for human health effects, bioavailability, clinical efficacy and industrial cultivation remains limited. Wild harvest is unlikely to provide a safe or standardized raw material. The central proposition is, therefore, that gammarid-derived ingredients should be developed through controlled benthic production systems, followed by hygienization, fractionation and safety validation. The most realistic near-term pathway is not direct consumption of whole animals, but standardized feed ingredients, EPA-oriented lipid blends, protein–lipid fractions and supplement-grade materials after regulatory assessment. The review distinguishes established evidence from technological hypotheses and identifies the research required before gammarids can be considered reliable industrial ingredients. Full article

Cannabidiol (CBD) has attracted growing scientific and clinical interest due to its potential therapeutic applications and increasing availability across Europe. This narrative review examined the regulatory status, market availability, and clinical use of CBD in Croatia in relation to selected European Union countries and international reference models (Canada and Australia). A literature search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, complemented by official regulatory and governmental sources. The analysis included Croatia, Germany, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Italy, France, and Finland, while Canada and Australia were discussed as international reference models. Considerable differences were identified regarding the regulation of CBD-containing products, access to medical cannabis, reimbursement policies, clinical implementation, and the role of pharmacists. Germany and the Netherlands have established well-developed systems for medical cannabis use, whereas Finland represents a more restrictive regulatory model. In Croatia, CBD-containing products are widely available, but their integration into routine clinical practice remains limited. Regulatory uncertainty, insufficient professional training, and the lack of standardised clinical guidance were identified as important barriers. The findings suggest that the expansion of the consumer CBD market has generally outpaced the integration of cannabinoid-based therapies into healthcare practice across the countries included in this review. Improved professional training and clearer clinical guidance may facilitate their evidence-based implementation in clinical practice. Full article

Sweet corn is a globally important dual-purpose crop for both food and fresh vegetables. The plant architecture and ear-related traits directly determine its yield potential and field ecological adaptability. To elucidate the genetic architecture of these traits and identify superior alleles for breeding, we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on 11 agronomic traits using 30,597 high-quality SNP markers in a panel of 101 elite sweet corn inbred lines. Population genetic structure was analyzed using sparse non-negative matrix factorization (sNMF) and discriminant analysis of principal components (DAPC) algorithms, revealing three main clusters and six subpopulations. The clustering pattern was highly consistent with germplasm origin. Association mapping with the fixed and random Circulating Probability Unification (FarmCPU) model identified 16 significant marker–trait associations (MTAs), distributed across seven target agronomic traits. The phenotypic variance explained (PVE) by individual loci ranged from 8.0% to 16.0%. Among these, five stable MTAs across environments, a novel ERN locus (SNP25518) specific to sweet corn, and most association intervals overlapped with previously reported quantitative trait loci (QTLs). Within the ±0.15 Mb (defined by LD decay) flanking windows around the significant SNP loci, a total of 236 candidate genes were annotated, which are primarily involved in hormone signaling, carbon and nitrogen metabolism, cell division, and plant growth and development. In summary, this study dissected the genetic basis of key agronomic traits in sweet corn and provides a foundation for marker-assisted selection and functional validation. Full article

The pet food industry is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by the growing trend of companion animal humanization and increasing concerns over the environmental sustainability of conventional protein and lipid sources. Consumers now seek diets that not only meet basic nutritional requirements but also offer preventive health benefits. Microalgae, including Arthrospira (Spirulina, a kind of cyanobacterium), Chlorella, Schizochytrium, and Euglena gracilis, have emerged as versatile biological platforms capable of addressing both functional and sustainability challenges. These microorganisms produce high-quality proteins, omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (particularly docosahexaenoic acid, DHA), natural pigments, and immunomodulatory polysaccharides. This review synthesizes findings from peer-reviewed studies on the application of microalgae in pet nutrition, covering dogs, cats, and aquatic companion animals. We examine how algal ingredients influence gut microbiota, for instance, by enriching beneficial genera such as Turicibacter and Peptococcus, enhance vaccine responses and mucosal immunity, support cognitive function in aging pets, and contribute to weight management. Particular attention is given to Euglena gracilis and its paramylon (β-1,3-glucan), a pathogen-associated molecular pattern that engages the Dectin-1 pathway to train innate immunity and has demonstrated antiviral activity through host defense mechanisms. The review also surveys the patent landscape, highlighting trends in palatability enhancement, hypoallergenic formulations, and novel delivery formats. Key challenges remain, including ingredient standardization, safety validation, palatability optimization, and consumer acceptance. We outline a translational roadmap that prioritizes well-designed clinical trials in target species and processing methods that preserve bioactivity. Collectively, the evidence positions microalgae, and Euglena gracilis in particular, as promising candidates for next-generation functional pet foods that deliver health benefits alongside ecological sustainability. Full article

Aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) is a prevalent mycotoxin contaminating food and environmental matrices that can induce hepatic injury, thereby posing a substantial threat to livestock production. Portulaca oleracea L. polysaccharide (POP) possesses diverse biological activities, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the protective effects of POP against AFB₁-induced hepatic injury have not been fully elucidated. In the present study, a rabbit model of AFB₁-induced hepatic injury was established to investigate the hepatoprotective mechanisms of POP. Histopathological examination and liver function assessments demonstrated that POP markedly ameliorated hepatic histopathological alterations and decreased serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Molecular analyses further demonstrated that POP attenuated AFB₁-induced oxidative stress and hepatocyte apoptosis, effects that were associated with activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and suppression of the mitochondria-mediated apoptotic pathway. Furthermore, microbiome profiling and targeted short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) metabolomics analyses indicated that POP supplementation contributed to the preservation of intestinal barrier integrity and intestinal microbiota stability, concurrent with the attenuation of AFB₁-induced intestinal and hepatic injury and elevated SCFA production by intestinal microbes. Overall, POP exerts prominent preventive protective effects against AFB₁-induced liver injury, which may be closely associated with alterations in intestinal microbiota composition and microbial short-chain fatty acid metabolism, as well as the activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. These findings provide novel insights into the mechanisms underlying AFB₁-induced hepatic injury. Full article

Cherry tomatoes are highly susceptible to Salmonella contamination during pre- and post-harvest handling, leading to foodborne illness outbreaks and significant economic losses. Edible coatings incorporating natural antimicrobials offer a promising alternative to conventional chemical treatments for enhancing food safety while maintaining produce quality. This study developed and evaluated a pectin-based edible coating enriched with zinc nanohydroxide-thymol nanohybrids (ZnNH-T) for controlling Salmonella contamination and extending shelf-life of cherry tomatoes. ZnNH-T nanohybrids were synthesized via precipitation, followed by thymol intercalation, and characterized by SEM. Four coating formulations were prepared: pectin alone (P), pectin-thymol (PT), pectin-ZnNH (PNH), and pectin-ZnNH-T (PNHT). Antibacterial activity of the four coatings was first screened in vitro by disc diffusion against six S. enterica serovars; three serovars (Typhimurium, Enteritidis, and Montevideo) showing a statistically significant, coating-dependent inhibition response were selected for the postharvest assay. Cherry tomatoes were coated and dip-inoculated with three Salmonella serotypes (Typhimurium, Enteritidis, and Montevideo) at approximately 10⁵ CFU/mL and stored at 25 °C for 12 days. Antimicrobial efficacy, antioxidant activity (ABTS assay), and physicochemical quality parameters (weight loss, color, pH, and total soluble solids) were evaluated. Zinc nanohydroxides were successfully synthesized, as observed in SEM morphology. ABTS radical scavenging activity of filmogenic solutions was highest for PT (92.4%) and moderate for PNHT (65.9%), while P and PNH showed minimal activity (20.1% and 17.8%, respectively). PNHT coating achieved an approximately 2-log CFU/g reduction in Salmonella populations compared to uncoated controls over 12 days of storage, demonstrating sustained antimicrobial efficacy. Coated tomatoes exhibited significantly reduced weight loss (8% for PNHT vs. 13% for control), better color retention, lycopene content, maintained firmness, and stable pH and TSS values compared to uncoated controls. The pectin-ZnNH-T coating system represents a novel multifunctional approach for enhancing cherry tomato safety and quality. The use of thymol from the layered hydroxide structure, combined with zinc ion antimicrobial effects, provides sustained pathogen reduction while maintaining desirable physicochemical properties. This natural, biodegradable coating technology has potential for commercial application in fresh produce preservation. Full article

Human norovirus (HuNoV) is one of the most important foodborne viruses and poses a significant risk in frozen foods along the cold chain. Traditional disinfectants exhibit reduced efficacy in frozen matrices and often fail to meet the requirements for food applications. This study optimized and evaluated a novel antifreeze–peracetic acid formulation (Af-PAA) for application on frozen foods, achieving disinfection performance at −40 °C. The formulation was optimized using four indicator microorganisms, with effective Af-PAA concentrations of 200 mg/L for Escherichia coli, 200 mg/L for Staphylococcus aureus, 500 mg/L for Candida albicans, and 2000 mg/L for Aspergillus niger. HuNoV GII.4[P31] propagated in zebrafish was inoculated onto frozen food samples. The frozen blueberries (500 mg/L), carrots (500 mg/L), chicken breast (2000 mg/L), and Arctic shrimp (2000 mg/L) were then subjected to Af-PAA treatment at −40 °C for 60 min with 60 s vortex mixing. RNase-RT-qPCR analysis showed a 3.0–3.1 log₁₀ reduction in RNase-resistant HuNoV RNA signals across all tested food under the corresponding treatment concentrations. No visual changes were observed in treated foods. This study demonstrated that Af-PAA met tested food disinfectant requirements and effectively inactivated indicator microorganisms. HuNoV signals were also markedly reduced on the tested foods. These findings support its application for microbial risk control in cold-chain foods. Full article

Background/Objectives: Salmonella enterica (S. enterica) is a major poultry-associated foodborne pathogen and a persistent public health concern. The global rise in antimicrobial resistance has accelerated the search for alternative control strategies, including the use of bacteriophages. However, their successful application requires a comprehensive evaluation of their biological performance, genomic safety, and functional proteins. This study aimed to characterize Salmonella phage WP110 and assess its potential as a biocontrol agent in broiler-associated production systems. Methods: Phage WP110 was evaluated against 251 S. enterica isolates from broiler-related sources. Adsorption kinetics, one-step growth, environmental stability (temperature and pH), and effective multiplicity of infection (MOI) were determined using Salmonella Kentucky S1H28. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and bioinformatic analyses were performed for genome annotation, taxonomic classification, and safety evaluation. In addition, protein structural prediction of a putative endolysin (WP110-gp057) was conducted using AlphaFold2, followed by structural comparison and molecular docking with peptidoglycan. Biocontrol efficacy was evaluated in contaminated rice husk, chicken meat, and on non-food materials. Results: Phage WP110 demonstrated a broad lytic spectrum, lysing 248/251 S. enterica isolates (98.8%). It adsorbed rapidly (within 3–15 min) to host cells and exhibited a latent period of ~20 min with a burst size of 134 particles per infected cell. Phage WP110 remained stable at 4–45 °C and pH 5–11 but was inactivated at ≥75 °C and pH 2. Complete bacterial inactivation in broth assay was achieved at an MOI of 10⁴. Genomic analysis revealed a 110,216 bp linear dsDNA genome (39.74% GC) comprising 204 ORFs, 25 tRNAs, and long direct terminal repeats, with no detectable antibiotic resistance genes. Phylogenetic and intergenomic analyses classified phage WP110 as a novel species within the genus Epseptimavirus. Structural modeling of WP110-gp057 revealed conserved catalytic residues and high structural similarity to T5 endolysin, while docking analysis supported a structurally plausible interaction with peptidoglycan at the predicted active-site groove, consistent with its proposed role in host cell wall degradation. In application models, phage WP110 significantly reduced Salmonella contamination in rice husk (up to 4.3 log CFU/g), chicken meat (up to 1.7 log CFU/g), and on non-food material surfaces (0.7–1.5 log CFU reduction). Conclusions: Phage WP110 is a broad-host-range lytic phage with favorable infection kinetics, environmental robustness, and genomic safety. Its functionally supported endolysin and strong antibacterial efficacy across broiler-associated matrices highlight its potential as a biocontrol agent for Salmonella mitigation in poultry value chain. Full article

To address the challenge of balancing food production, groundwater protection, and economic sustainability in agricultural systems, this study developed a novel multi-objective optimization framework integrating an Extreme Learning Machine (ELM)-based surrogate model. An irrigation–fertilization–economy (IFE) model was established to evaluate region-specific agricultural adjustment strategies under four scenarios: baseline adjustment, flexible restructuring, production reduction and profit-oriented expansion scenarios. The optimization results were subsequently used to assess the impacts of agricultural production regulation on groundwater nitrate concentrations in the study area. The results showed that the IFE model consistently favored the conversion from wheat to maize cultivation across all regions, because maize requires less irrigation and fertilizer inputs while maintaining relatively high net profits. However, the optimal strategies varied among regions: Pingdu and Jiaozhou showed greater economic potential for production expansion, whereas regions with lower economic potential were more suitable for reducing high-input crop cultivation. During the 2020–2030 prediction period, nitrate concentrations exhibited substantial interannual variations. Reducing the overall production scale shifted nitrate concentrations approximately 6% closer to the 30–50 mg/L range over the decade, but this limited environmental benefit was accompanied by substantial short-term economic losses. Considering both environmental impacts and economic viability, the optimization results suggest that moderate agricultural expansion could be acceptable provided that environmental burdens are effectively managed. Full article

Burkholderia gladioli pv. cocovenenans (B. gladioli pv. cocovenenans), the most representative pathovar of B. gladioli, is capable of producing thermostable and highly virulent bongkrekic acid, which can result in multiple organ failure and an extremely high case fatality rate in humans. This research aims to mine specific targets for B. gladioli pv. cocovenenans and develop a rapid and accurate assay for the detection of B. gladioli pv. cocovenenans in food. Two novel specific target genes (group_0918 and group_0110) were successfully screened through pan-genome analysis, and the excellent specificity and sensitivity of both targets were verified in comparison to PCR assays. Based on these targets, a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method was developed to specifically identify B. gladioli pv. cocovenenans. In pure culture and spiked fresh black fungus samples, the LAMP assay achieved a limit of detection (LOD) of 4.1 × 10¹ CFU/mL and 4.1 × 10² CFU/g for the detection of B. gladioli pv. cocovenenans, respectively. To enable point of care testing, a LAMP-based lateral flow dipstick(LFD) assay was established with a detection sensitivity of 4.1 × 10³ CFU/g in fresh black fungus. Tests on naturally infected food samples demonstrated that the developed LAMP and LAMP-assisted visual detection assays can serve as an effective alternative for the accurate identification of B. gladioli pv. cocovenenans. The novel molecular detection technology established in this study offers an efficient and reliable detection method for the prevention and control of B. gladioli pv. cocovenenans contamination in food, which holds significant application value and promotion prospects. Full article